Review on a "frugality" book on Amazon

[ViragoStache]

Since I can borrow a book a month free with my Kindle and Amazon Prime, I check out the books that I might want to get.  While I was looking for a financial read I came across some books on frugality.  I looked at a few books and check out the reviews before I commit to the one borrow I get this month. 

Now I haven't read it, but one book, Blackbelt Tightwad: Frugal Ninjutsu for the Fearless, that I was reviewing had a comment in it that just shows you that people really have just no idea and are always going to be struggling.  Here's the review:

"Not a good book. Some of the suggestions were ridiculous. Dumpster or curb side free items? Really? No car. No internet or cable. Whatever.
"

Not only is it short and not well thought out, but it's obvious they don't want to save $$ and just want someone to give them some magic bullet to make them rich.  Here's your magic, get rid of the cable and internet and don't post reviews anymore.

[MustachianAccountant]

Since you brought it up, this is our first year of Prime, and I've found the Lending Library selection to be less than stellar. I mean, if I only get 12 books (or less) a year (that I don't get to "keep"), is it really that big of a deal to open up the entire Amazon catalog to Prime members?

Sorry to hijack the thread.

[ViragoStache]

Yeah, MA, I hear ya on the selection.  I haven't figured a good way to go looking for good ones that's why I read the reviews (for some insight - not always good).  I've borrowed some books and they sucked in a day and then you have to wait until the end of the month :(

[tariskat]

Always send yourself a free sample first.  I do this even if the book sounds completely amazing before I bother check it out or see if the library has it (my library has some ebooks, by the way).  If I wasn't impressed enough to do anything after reading the free sample, problem solved.  A lot of 'amazing' looking books were fairly underwhelming and I'm glad I didn't waste a free read or a couple bucks.

Also, Kindle has a lot of free stuff - in the kindle store look up "stoicism" and you'll find some famous philosophers.

[ViragoStache]

Yup tariskat, all good thoughts.  I basically grew up in a library (moma and gma were libraians) and it's always a good place to check (and even for ones that you can get via inter-library loans).  Ours has Nook books and I think they even loan out the Nook.  I've done the samples and that's a good thought to not waste the free book if you can tell it's a bad selection.  I have so much to read (almost all free) on my Kindle already...  maybe I should just go through that!

[tariskat]

Haha, I have the same thing - at least 20 books on physics, history, fairy tales, most recently stoicism, that were free so I got them and haven't read them yet.